If their 108-101 overtime loss to the miserable Charlotte Bobcats was any indication, Tayshaun Prince's observation about his team getting up for playing the better teams but not bringing the same effort for some of the lesser ones was gospel on a Sunday night.

The loss ended the Pistons' four-game winning streak as playing too close to the edge in recent games finally bit them, losing after leading by 13.

After getting what they wanted early — shooting 64 percent for the first half — their offense ran dry thereafter, as the scrappy Bobcats (9-24), losers of 19 of 20 games, saw an opportunity against a team that was asleep at the wheel — perhaps too impressed with itself after its recent winning streak.

"For me, the focus for us going in was we knew we had to sprint back, get set and make them play against a set defense. When we score easily sometimes, I think we lose our defensive focus," Pistons coach Lawrence Frank said.

Kemba Walker's relentlessness — in the form of 23 shots — paid off in regulation, as he wasn't deterred by Andre Drummond swatting away his layup attempt and used every shake-and-bake move in his bag of tricks against fellow sophomore Brandon Knight, scoring on a floater with 7 seconds left, tying the game at 96.

Walker's reverse layup in overtime, one possession after feeding Tyrus Thomas for a jumper, gave the Bobcats the distance they needed. Knight (12 points, one assist, four turnovers) didn't have as good an evening as Walker (20 points, seven assists).

Knight sat for a considerable portion of the fourth quarter and when he re-entered didn't have much of a flow and appeared hesitant with the looks he got — when the Pistons' first option was cut off.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130106/SPORTS0102/301060338#ixzz2HIX3WP9r